Category Archives: Cynllunio Ieithyddol

Popeth Cymraeg – An Example for Wales

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As changes to the funding of Welsh for Adults is being established, a network of Welsh learning centres for adults such as those run by Popeth Cymraeg is needed according to Dyfodol i’r Iaith. Popeth Cymraeg has established learning centres in Denbigh, Prestatyn and Colwyn Bay.

“Having a network of centres for socialising and learning Welsh is essential in order to provide opportunities to converse and bring Welsh-speakers, learners and young people together,” says Heini Gruffudd, Dyfodol i’r Iaith’s Chair.

He added “Ioan Talfryn and his officers have shown courage and enterprise in establishing their centres. They have won the support of Denbighshire Council and the National Lottery. They provide an excellent model to aspire to across Wales.”

He said, “We very much hope that that the new funding arrangements for Welsh for Adults will continue to provide the same support as before for these centres, providing a pattern for creative collaboration,”

The Welsh Government has promised £1.25 million for the establishment of centres to promote the Welsh language, and plans are already afoot in Carmarthen, Cardiff and Wrexham.

Mr Gruffudd said, “We also hope that that the Welsh Government will be working with Popeth Cymraeg, and with other existing centres, such as Saith Seren in Wrexham, to ensure sensible co-ordination between central government, Welsh for Adults and the individual Welsh language centres.”

DYFODOL I’R IAITH WELCOMES AMENDMENT TO THE PLANNING BILL

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Dyfodol i’r Iaith welcomes the amendment to the Planning Bill put forward by William Powell and supported by Llyr Huws Griffiths and the Minister, Carl Sargeant.

As a result of this amendment, planning authorities must, when relevant, pay attention to considerations relating to the use of the Welsh language in deciding upon planning applications. This is a great step forward, and should end the uncertainty that has led to Welsh language considerations not being given attention for fear that this would not be within the law.

Dyfodol’s representatives, Meirion Davies and Emyr Lewis have presented strong political and legal arguments for such an amendment to the Planning Committee, and reiterated these arguments in meetings with Carwyn Jones and the Welsh Government’s planning officers.

Dyfodol is delighted that politicians of all parties across Wales have supported this amendment. It is indicative of the wide support across Wales for the need to support Welsh as a living community language. The Minister and all the politicians are to be congratulated on their enlightened response to the lobbying.

It is worrying however that other recommendations made by the Committee have not been adopted; these would have built upon the foundation set by this amendment.

Dyfodol continues to call for a statutory body, at arms’ length from the Government, with responsibility for promoting the Welsh language and planning for its welfare.

LANGUAGE STANDARDS AND ORGANISATIONS WHICH RECEIVE PUBLIC FUNDING

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Dyfodol i’r Iaith are pressing for the Language Standards to come into force as soon as possible in relation to organisations which receive over £400,000 of public funding. In the meantime, Dyfodol are also calling on the Welsh Language Commissioner to work within the full extent of her powers to ensure these organisations’ commitment to the Welsh language.
Following the recent complaints regarding the National Botanic Gardens of Wales’s language provision, Dyfodol contacted the Welsh Language Commissioner only to be told that the Gardens’ Language Scheme currently has a “voluntary” status. This means that they are under no statutory obligation to avoid treating the Welsh language less favourably than English until the Language Standards come into force. This is unlikely to come about for some months.
Heini Gruffudd, Dyfodol i’r Iaith’s Chair said:
“The Botanic Gardens is a national organisation named within the Welsh Language Measure, and yet they are currently under no obligation to do anything beyond what they volunteer to do. This shows the need to press ahead with the Language Standards.
In the meantime, we would call upon the Commissioner to put pressure on organisations such as the Botanic Gardens to plan and provide Welsh language services for their users. This would be in keeping with the principle of the law, and would encourage organisations to start preparing immediately for the statutory requirements of the Language Standards